Governor Diri dissolves Bayelsa United board, sacks all players after relegation

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has dissolved the board of Bayelsa United Football Club and sacked all the players, including the technical crew, following the team’s relegation from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to the Nigerian National League (NNL).

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Diri took the decision after the Yenagoa-based club suffered relegation despite receiving substantial financial support from the state government throughout the season.

He directed that the dissolution take immediate effect as preparations begin for a comprehensive restructuring of the club ahead of its participation in the Nigeria National League (NNL) next season.

A new management team is expected to be appointed in the coming days, with the state government determined to rebuild the club and secure an immediate return to the top flight.

It will be recalled that Bayelsa United finished the 2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season second from bottom with a paltry 43 points from 38 matches.

The club managed to win 11, draw 10, while losing 17 matches.

Bayelsa United have experienced three relegations from the Nigerian topflight and two promotions back to it since its founding in 2008.